16 Comments
Sep 16Liked by Maggie Smith

I needed that talk. My dad died in August. And my mom is now in the ICU. Iā€™m trying to keep perspective but it does get overwhelming. The good part is my spouse, sister & friends have been great. And I feel blessed for that. Much love šŸ’—

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Iā€™m so sorry, Lisa. Sending so much care your way.

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Sep 16Liked by Maggie Smith

Maggie: you have no idea how much I need this right now. Though I think you do know, which is why youā€™re being so vulnerable and gracious with all of us.

I just received an email from our local writing nonprofit (for whom I am planning to teach a four-week class on poetic forms) telling me that I have one sign up so far and I need four more by Friday or the class will be canceled. Iā€™m taking this pretty hard, even if thereā€™s still four days. I can only imagine no one really gives a damn about sonnets and Iā€™m taking it personally. Which I know is irrational but itā€™s where Iā€™m at. I felt like this class was my first chance to show myself this MFA was worth it. Considering I got turned down by a different nonprofit last week for a teaching gig I was banking on this.

Anyway, I get to facilitate my weekly meditation group tonight and see all the friends Iā€™ve made there over the last decade. Itā€™s still summery here in Western MT, at least today. Iā€™m cat sitting and the cat is just a dear. Thereā€™s good in the world. Thank you for the pep talk ā™„ļø

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There is goodā€”lots of itā€”and if people miss out on learning about poetic forms, thatā€™s their loss! Not about you at all, Iā€™m sure. Take good care, Marko.

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How ironic and timely! My weekend began on Thursday afternoon with a solo, three-day 1800 mile, round trip road trip. I won't burden you, or other readers, with the details. Suffice to say it would not have been how I would have preferred to spend the weekend. What I can say that is fact, mission accomplished. I slept 12 hours last night. One redeeming feature of the trip was fabulous mountain and valley landscapes, sunshine and shadows, only a little rain. 3 nights, 3 different hotels, a canceled flight and shuttle. Gratitude for kind, understanding and helpful people along the way and glad to be home and a good week ahead. Good to be on the other side now, a perspective "FROM BOTH SIDES NOW."

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Hereā€™s to Joni Mitchell! Thanks, Gary.

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Yes, that song was the inspiration for naming my Substack: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/a-new-name

Joni will headline a concert in CA at age 81!

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Well Iā€™m glad you handled it with grace and civility. I would have handled it the same, except before exiting the car, I would have added a few letters to that F and expressed

it a few times. Iā€™m glad youā€™re ok! My weekend was a solid C+. Iā€™m dealing with the crud but am much better. Again, glad you and the kids are ok!

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Hope youā€™re on the mend soon, Kevin. Thanks.

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Sep 20Liked by Maggie Smith

Thanks for that, needed that perspective right now in the middle of a lot!! Blessings

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Sending all my best & hoping for calmer seas ahead. šŸ™

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Sep 16Liked by Maggie Smith

I needed this. I got a rejection that really hurt yesterday and I was blowing the whole thing out of proportion while forgetting all the wonderfulness surrounding me! Thank you!!!! Glad you and your kids are okay!

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Iā€™m glad this helped, Mona. Sending all my best.

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Really glad you are OK. You handled that F moment with a lot of grace and calm. I've upped my meditation practice to 2 (short ,but...) guided meditations a day - hoping it will help me manage my F moments with some more of that grace and calm!

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Ugh, I was hit like that a year or so ago ā€”itā€™s such a huge nuisance and I was grateful thatā€™s all it was. So glad youā€™re ok!

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founding

Thank you! This a great reframe on my mental weather. While I certainly canā€™t control the weather system, I am the weatherman for my internal world. I get to give the forecasts and tell the stories for todayā€™s mix of sun and clouds.

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